In a statement they say: “Last year’s enrolment numbers showed an increase again and this is expected to continue.

“The university has a programme of significant investment on this campus over the next ten years.

“It is therefore reasonable to expect that student numbers will continue to increase and more first year students will need safe, purpose built accommodation. The availability of such accommodation figures highly in students decision of which universities to attend.”

The land is at the junction of Garstang Road Pic: Google

The land where the halls would be built, on the corner of Garstang Road and St George’s Road, used to be a church hall with space for 200 people. The church hall was demolished in 2007. It is across the road from the English Martyrs’ Catholic Church.

Previous planning permission was granted for student halls for 188 bedrooms on the site, but time has now lapsed.